Chapter 134: Jin Zhongshan

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After delivering his message in the imperial prison, Cao Wenzhao suddenly felt a chill of alarm and hurried back.

Cao Wenzhao arrived at Zhu Xu's study and said gravely to Zhu Xu, who was practicing calligraphy, "Your Highness, there's something I forgot to mention earlier."

Zhu Xu continued practicing stroke by stroke, saying, "What is it, that you're so anxious?"

Cao Wenzhao was also secretly regretting it, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, earlier I asked Lord Xiong, and the one who gave me the advice to find you was the Minister of War, Lord Sun Chengzong."

"Sun Chengzong?" Zhu Xu's brush paused, and he looked up at Cao Wenzhao.

Cao Wenzhao clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, forgive me!"

Zhu Xu's brow furrowed. He put down his brush, his expression heavy.

Sun Chengzong — this was a man Zhu Xu could not afford to ignore. He currently held the title of Minister of War, served as Supreme Commander of Liaodong, was the Imperial Tutor, and was also one of the leaders of the Donglin Faction, wielding immense influence at court.

If there was any outside official who had the greatest influence over Zhu Youxiao, it was undoubtedly him.

Zhu Xu sat in his chair, his gaze flickering slightly, muttering to himself in thought, "Just where did the flaw show, for this Lord Sun to have seen through it..."

Cao Wenzhao was equally puzzled, and said hesitantly, "Your Highness, could it be that when you sealed off the ministries' storehouses and resolved Liaodong's pressing crisis, it made Lord Sun pay special attention to you, and he saw something?"

Zhu Xu pinched the bridge of his nose, unable to figure out the beginning or end of it, and said helplessly, "The more things you do, the more flaws there are. Forget it — if he knows, he knows. I won't worry about him for now. Let's first see whether Xiong Tingbi can extricate himself."

The situation at court was far too complex. The so-called Donglin Faction — they were merely a clique of friends, connected to one another through 'friendship,' forming an enormous web of relationships. They were not a true 'party' in any real sense, with no clear binding authority. Once their interests diverged, they would tear at each other, attacking endlessly.

Therefore, although Wang Wenyan had wide connections, trying to rally them together to check the forces impeaching Xiong Tingbi would require enormous effort and cost far too much. Rescuing Xiong Tingbi all at once was also unlikely — it could only be planned slowly, step by step.

"Your Highness, the Chief Clerk of the Court of State Ceremonial requests an audience."

Suddenly, Yao Qingqing's crisp voice sounded from outside the door.

Zhu Xu waved a hand at Cao Wenzhao, saying, "Old Cao, keep a close watch on the situation at court. Xiong Tingbi — I am determined to save him!"

Hearing Zhu Xu's words, Cao Wenzhao felt secretly relieved, and said, "Yes, Your Highness." With that, he turned and walked out.

Only then did Zhu Xu call out toward the door, "Let him in."

A lean, capable-looking middle-aged man of around thirty, fair-skinned and clean-shaven, walked in. Raising his hands and bowing to Zhu Xu, he said, "Chief Clerk of the Court of State Ceremonial, Tong Shan, pays respects to His Highness Prince Hui."

Zhu Xu gave him a once-over and said, "Lord Tong, is this about receiving the Joseon envoy?"

"Yes," Tong Shan said, appearing perfectly respectful yet with the air of one going through routine formalities: "The Joseon envoy is expected to set sail from Joseon on the fifteenth of this month, land at Tianjin Garrison, and then travel by carriage to the capital. Our superior has already made arrangements at Tianjin Garrison — once they land, they will be brought directly to the capital. At that time, Your Highness will be requested to receive them outside the city."

The Great Ming had never placed such importance on a mere vassal state, but the Great Ming was growing ever weaker, and Joseon played a vital role in checking the Later Jin. Thus, the whole of the Great Ming placed exceptional importance on Joseon.

Zhu Xu nodded, projecting the authority of a first-rank prince, and said calmly, "Joseon — who is coming this time?"

Tong Shan clearly knew a great deal, and answered fluently, "To answer Your Highness, it is the Chŏng-hŏn Master, Jin Zhongshan. He comes both to offer tribute and to request aid, and Your Highness will need to offer some reassurance."

Zhu Xu knew nothing about this man. He thought for a moment, then said, "Very well. When the time comes, you will notify me and explain the full reception protocol clearly. I have no intention of losing the prestige of our Celestial Dynasty."

"Yes, Your Highness," Tong Shan said. "This official will come again on the fourteenth, bringing the detailed protocol to explain to Your Highness. Your Highness need only follow it."

Zhu Xu could read between the lines — the Court of State Ceremonial utterly looked down on him. They probably just wanted to use him as a symbol, with no expectation that he would actually do anything. Otherwise they wouldn't have been so perfunctory as to send only a Chief Clerk.

Zhu Xu smiled without changing his expression, and said, "Very well, I understand."

Tong Shan glanced up at Zhu Xu, his gaze indifferent, and said, "Then this official takes his leave."

Zhu Xu watched him go, his expression darkening for a moment, then suddenly called out, "Old Cao."

Cao Wenzhao turned and came back in, asking in confusion, "Your Highness?"

Zhu Xu tapped his fingers on the desk and said, "Notify Bi Maokang and Cao Bianjiao. Prepare the cannons and live ammunition, and expand the drill grounds. I want to bring the Joseon envoy to observe — with real cannons and real guns. The scene must be grand, the momentum overwhelming!"

Hearing this, Cao Wenzhao vaguely caught the meaning, and said, "Your Highness, are you trying to display your might, or...?"

Zhu Xu's smile was deeply meaningful. "Grace and severity in equal measure."

Cao Wenzhao didn't know whether this 'grace and severity' was meant for Joseon or for the Court of State Ceremonial, but he acknowledged the order and went out to make arrangements.

After Cao Wenzhao left, Zhu Xu thought about that special envoy from Joseon, and deliberately had someone come to ask about him. After hearing the account, his expression turned rather strange.

This Jin Zhongshan was originally not a Joseon man at all — he had been captured by Ming soldiers after being defeated during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Joseon, and had eventually surrendered to Joseon. In the subsequent wars in Joseon he had earned considerable merit, and had since been stationed in the north defending against Japanese pirates. Now he held the rank of Chŏng-hŏn Master, a senior second-rank position in Joseon.

Zhu Xu knew of the Three Great Campaigns of the Wanli era, but he had never expected there was such a man.

"What a surprise..."

He sat in the rocking chair before the door, muttering to himself with a smile.

Qian Qianyi stood before him with utmost deference, his plump face expressionless, but inwardly rather fearful.

Others might not know the full story of the grain transport affair, but he had seen through it from the very beginning. He had also witnessed everything that followed, and connecting it with the 'Huiyun Trading Company,' the 'Huimin Merchant Association,' and other such matters, he was terrified.

This prince appeared to want nothing, to contend for nothing, to make no fuss — but in truth, his hidden methods were utterly unfathomable. If anyone ever got on his bad side, they would die without even knowing why.

He had previously been a witness to the deaths of **'s grandson and Guan Yingzhen's son. Now, though he was not exactly a pariah within the Donglin Faction, everyone avoided him. He had been working the circuit for so long, yet there was still no word of his reinstatement.

At the same time, he was deeply puzzled — this prince had no past grudge or recent quarrel with him, so why had he been trapped like this?

Zhu Xu had no idea what Qian Qianyi was thinking. He had grown curious about this General Jin Zhongshan, and certain ideas were forming in his mind. His smile grew ever more inscrutable.

Qian Qianyi was panicking inside and didn't want to stay here any longer. Seeing Zhu Xu silent, he bowed and tested the waters: "Your Highness, are there any other questions?"

Zhu Xu forcibly suppressed the strange feeling within him, looked up at him, and said, "The Hanlin Academy seems to be short-handed for compiling the Veritable Records of Shenzong. Lord Qian, do you have any intention of returning to office?"

Qian Qianyi had come to the capital precisely to campaign for his reinstatement, but after what had happened before, no one was willing to speak up for him. Hearing Zhu Xu's words now, his heart gave a sudden leap. Looking at Zhu Xu's fair, youthful face that betrayed nothing unusual, he furrowed his brow, gritted his teeth, and bowed: "This official begs Your Highness to take me under your wing!"

Zhu Xu smiled faintly and said, "Go back and wait for word. Do your work well."

Qian Qianyi's heart pounded wildly, and he bowed again: "This official will follow Your Highness's every command."

This was tantamount to pledging allegiance.

Zhu Xu waved his hand. He sat in the rocking chair, swaying gently back and forth, while inwardly he pondered whether he ought to get involved with Joseon at all.